The Hunted (Guild of Assassins Book 1)

by Shannan Albright

  He found Beatrice standing in the center of the clearing. The surprise and shock on her face would have been comical if not for the circumstances.

  “You asked for me to come out,” he said. “Well, here I am.”

  “Well, well, the demon creeps out of its hole.” Her eyes narrowed in on his throat. “What happened to your collar?”

  “It chafed so I took it off.”

  “Impossible. Who aided you? I want to pay them a little visit once I’ve dispatched you and that pain in the ass druid?”

  “Arrogance can be a very harmful thing.” He cautioned, rolling to the balls of his feet, and raising his sword in a defensive position and waited. “Some may even say deadly.”

  A nasty smile curved her lips as she pulled her own sword from its scabbard on her back. “Well, well, they also armed you. And you profess to be a race of intellectuals not warriors.” Venom dripped from every word. “What else did you lie about, hmm?”

  He studied her stance, noting she lead with her left foot, her grip on her sword tight. Perhaps too tight? He may be bigger, but she would be faster. He kept a safe distance between them, waiting for her to make the first move.

  “I don’t lie. We remember our warring heritage. We just choose not to use it. Life, we found, is a precious commodity. A gift to be nurtured not subjugated or destroyed by our ignorance and fear.”

  She lunged at him, her blade swinging toward his neck in a wide arc. He jerked back a step, barely avoiding his arm cleaved from his body. Springing up high in the air, he twisted, his sword a blur as he slashed downward, finding only air where she’d just stood. He landed gracefully on the ground and jumped from her counterattack. His weapon met hers on a back swing, and the scrape and clash of metal on metal rang out in the clearing.

  Her knee came toward his groin, giving him little time to angle his hips and keep his privates intact. As it was, he’d be sporting one hell of a bruise where her knee brutally dug into his hip.

  “You enjoy fighting dirty,” he said.

  Her lip curled up as she flicked him a look of pure loathing. “You are only a demon, beneath my respect. My job is to take you down anyway I can.”

  She blurred before his eyes, a whirling dervish in a dance of lethal grace, and her blade flashed around him too quick to defend against. His skin burned from the numerous cuts she inflicted on him. His clothing was in tatters, stained red by his blood as it ran freely down his body and dripped at his feet on the forest floor.

  He held little hope of besting her with speed. Only the knowledge of his ancestors could aid him now. He struggled to focus inward, and ignoring the burning pain from each strike of her blade, he reached for the center of his being and called the knowledge forth to aid him.

  Only the need to see Leigh safe kept him on his feet and fighting.

  ~*~

  Leigh crouched behind the boulder, stomach churning with worry. Taren’s voice carried on the wind, too low for her to understand what he could possibly be saying. Unfortunately, Beatrice’s voice came to her far too clear, telling her she was close to where Leigh hid. She nearly jumped out of her skin at the sudden clang of metal meeting metal.

  “Can you take a peek for me, Ola, and see if he is all right? I can’t stand here hiding, knowing he could be hurt.”

  Or worse, killed.

  The thought crept into her mind despite her best efforts, bringing with it a sharp ache in her chest. The thought of losing him was unacceptable. She needed to do something, anything to help him before her own imagination drove her crazy.

  I’ll take a quick look, but I’m positive he will be just fine.

  Ola disappeared from their hiding place. Lost in her dark, anxious thoughts, she was unprepared as hands gripped her hair savagely, sending a sharp sting over her skull. Her nails gouged deep into the fingers digging into her. Her reaction too slow to prevent being slammed against the rock with brutal force. How could she have been so stupid to relax her guard?

  Black spots flashed across her vision as pain blasted its way through her head, radiating out from her temple to her neck. She looked up at the wavering form of a woman dressed in the black uniform of the Aegis, blinking to put her in focus.

  “You are as pitiful as Beatrice said you were. I can’t believe Doreen could be your mother. You’re nothing like her.” Disgust dripped from the hunter’s words.

  Fury boiled through Leigh, filling her veins with liquid fire. Her vision hazed red with her rage, and she raised her hands, weaving an intricate pattern in the air as she spoke words she’d never uttered before in anger. “Green with the spark of life, here my call. Earth, which nurtures, bring forth your strength and bind that which seeks to do harm.”

  Her vision cleared, catching the dark haired woman’s wary gaze. Without warning, the ground bucked savagely beneath the hunter’s feet and, with an audible whoosh, tossed her hard onto her back.

  Thick vines erupted from the ground and wrapped around the hunter before she could fight them off, holding her immobile as Leigh struggled to her feet. The world tilted as she gingerly fingered the side of her head where a knot was forming.

  “You know what, bitch,” Leigh said. “I never wanted to be like my mother. Not if it meant I would be like you.”

  She welcomed the power of the earth, filling her with strength. Calm determination settled over her like a well-worn blanket. Her focus narrowed, her mind clearing as she gave her back to the struggling woman, and the last of her fear washed away.

  “Earth who heeds my call, protect so I do not fall. Hold tightly to the one you bind, and tear her asunder should I fail.”

  The woman struggled against the vines, panic clear in her eyes. “Hey, that didn’t rhyme. It’s supposed to. I know it’s supposed to. You are even a lousy druid!”

  Leigh smiled coldly at the woman, and she stopped struggling. And shivered. “I’ll let you in on a little secret, assassin. It doesn't have to.”

  With that, the vines moved over her limbs and stretched her out spread eagle, pulling her off the forest floor and holding her in wait to tear her apart. Satisfied, Leigh turned toward Taren as he fought for both their lives.

  He would not fight this battle alone.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Taren absorbed the knowledge hidden in the very marrow of his bones. Muscles and flesh responded as if he’d spent his entire life honing the skills of a warrior. He put on a burst of speed he never knew he possessed and countered her flying blade. Gripping her tight, he flicked his wrist and sent her hurtling through the air and crashing into one of the trees lining the clearing.

  With a thought, he healed his body, the cuts closing as he strode toward Beatrice. She shot to her feet and charged him. Her sword raised, she leaped high into the air and twisted her body, slashing across and down.

  He sidestepped her attack easily, her blade meeting only air. Taren was on her the moment her feet touched the ground, putting her on the defense. He pushed her back, giving her no opening to slip through. A look of real fear flashed in her eyes, and she fought his blade, the force of each powerful strike opening her guard up a little more, her sword wobbling enough to show him his strikes were successful in weakening her.

  Releasing a guttural snarl, he pushed his way past her defense, slicing into the soft flesh at her side. She jerked away before he could score her again, stumbling to keep her balance as red stained her shirt. The sound of his weapon whistled as it cut through the air, finding a target again and again, just as she had done to him, leaving her tunic and pants torn and bloody.

  Again, Taren pushed her back with a subtle movement of his hand, and she stumbled back, landing on her ass, her breath coming in panting gasps. “I have no wish to kill you,” he said. “Just walk away.”

  “Not that easy,” she said between ragged breaths.

  “Yes, it is.” Leigh’s voice carried to them as she came out from behind the boulders and stood in the center of the clearing. “Or is your hatred so overpowering y
ou would darken your soul to feed it?”

  Beatrice gave a bitter laugh. “I have no soul left to save. I live only for duty. There is only the need to serve my goddess’s will.”

  Leigh frowned, pity in her eyes. “And is it your goddess that demands the life of this man? Or is it your prejudice which blinds you.”

  “Oh, I see. You are attracted to the demon. A little advice, screw them all you like, but they aren’t worth anything more than a good orgasm or two.”

  “Will you leave us in peace?” Taren interjected with a warning. “Or do I have to kill you? I give you this one chance, and I suggest you take it.”

  Beatrice focused on a spot behind them, a slow malicious smile spreading across her lips. “Even if I could I doubt they would.” She sneered.

  Leigh and Taren turned to find a dozen hunters, some with swords, others held their bows drawn, arrows sighted on them. The atmosphere grew thick, charged with impending violence.

  “Oh shit.” Leigh cursed.

  “You alright Beatrice?” One of the hunters with her blade at the ready called out.

  “Yes,” She hissed. “Kill them already.”

  Taren grabbed Leigh’s hand, twining his fingers with hers and gave her a slight nod. For an instant, Leigh’s eyes darkened with a deep bone-deep grief, quickly masked as she faced the hunters with a look of disdain. Pride filled his chest at the sight of her. Fearless in the face of her enemies. Their magics mixed—Demosian fire and air along with Leigh’s druidic earth and nature—rushing from their clasped hands, building as it surged through his veins like a whirlwind. Taren could taste the magic on his tongue, sharp and potent, a heady mixture. As addicting as the female by his side.

  Time slowed to a single heartbeat as Taren and Leigh raised their free hands in unison, palms toward those who would seek them harm. Arrows flew in a graceful arc toward them, the air crackling with energy as Taren formed the wild magic creating a shield. Protecting Leigh and him as arrows splintered against the unseen wall.

  The earth rolled beneath Taren’s feet, and he nearly stumbled. His gaze jerked toward Leigh as she smiled, eyes glowing an incandescent blue. Lightning flashed in her eyes and shot from her fingertips. Never had he seen anything as beautiful. Nothing in this life or the next could compare to his druidess. He forced his attention back to the battle at hand, strengthening the barrier in preparation for the next attack. Taren didn’t have long to wait as the hunters advanced, their harsh war cries ringing in his ears.

  The ground heaved and buckled, throwing clods of dirt high into the air as a large fissure opened up beneath the hunter’s feet. War cries turned to screams as they fell into the opening. An eerie stillness filled the glen for a brief moment before the ground closed.

  “Don’t piss off Mother Nature. You won’t like the outcome,” Leigh said, grinning up at Taren.

  “And here I thought druids were peaceful.”

  “Oh really? That doesn’t mean we are weak or pushovers and we do not condone violence for petty reasons.” Leigh explained.

  Smiling at him. Heat erupted through his body, angling to his cock in a vicious burn of need, Leigh stiffened eyes wide, fixed on a spot just above his shoulder.

  He dropped to the ground taking Leigh with him, his body covering hers as he heard the sword swoosh past his back, barely missing him. He rolled to his feet, instinct and the ancient knowledge taking control. Slashing out with his sword, whistling as it cut the air in a deadly arc, sinking through flesh, muscle and bone. Blood shot up in a gory geyser as Beatrice’s head tumbled from her body and landed at his feet, her body dropping to the ground in a grotesque tangle of limbs.

  Leigh cried out, and he dropped his weapon, pulling her to her feet and drawing her close in his arms. She buried her face in his chest. Her tears wet his tattered shirt, and as he let her cry, his heart heavy as her anguish poured into their bond. Killing did not come easily to either of them. Regret for this day’s actions would not be easily forgotten.

  “Beatrice knew she couldn’t win Taren.” Leigh’s voice shook with the force of her emotions lifting her tear-stained face to his “She knew! I saw it on her face.

  She chose her hatred over mercy. You did what you had to do.”

  He cradled her face in his hands, his thumbs gently brushing the tears from her cheeks, and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “My, tasa meela, I love you so. I will do everything in my power to erase this memory from you. I give you my life, my body, and my soul.”

  Fresh tears filled her eyes as she gazed at him. He would gladly drown in the depths of those expressive eyes for eternity.

  Her smile was soft and tremulous. “And I love you with everything I am and will be. I will always be yours.”

  A familiar voice broke the moment. “Well, this is a bit awkward.”

  ~*~

  “Máthair!” Leigh cried out, moving out of Taren’s arms, and ran to the older woman.

  Amaya wrapped Leigh in her embrace, relief and love shining in her gaze.

  “Amaya, what are you doing here? There may be other hunters around it’s not safe.”

  “The earth called to me, and I sensed your magic,” Amaya frowned, her eyes focused on Leigh. “Yet different. Stronger. I followed it here.”

  Leigh gave Taren a small smile. “I had a bit of a boost.”

  “I can see that. By the way, I came across a hunter tied up quite snug and another up in a tree.” Amaya chuckled.

  “What did you do?” Leigh broke the embrace to frown at her.

  “Oh, nothing really. Just strongly encouraged them to start listening to their goddesses. Isis and Bast are not too pleased with what is going on with this guild.” Amaya’s face paled as she saw the body lying in a bloody heap. “I had wished for a better outcome for Beatrice. She was always headstrong, filled with so much hatred.”

  “Wait,” Leigh said, “how did you know about Beatrice…and the goddesses?”

  Amaya gave a deep sigh before turning her attention to Leigh. “I knew Beatrice when she entered the guild. I tried to dissuade her from being an assassin, but even then she was so filled with anger.” She shook her head, sadness for what could have been a shadow in her eyes.

  “Wait…you were an assassin for the guild? How, why?” Leigh gaped at the woman. Her Amaya an assassin? No. Way. In. Hell.

  “Your mother and I met as apostolates at the Guild of Isis and became as close as sisters. She fell deeply in love with an Aegis from the Alexandria Guild. When he died, it nearly destroyed her. If not for the discovery she carried his child, I know she would have followed him right then. I left the guild before taking the oath to the goddesses, deciding a more idyllic life with less excitement better suited my tastes and talents. Sadly, your mother chose otherwise, and no matter what I tried, I couldn’t dissuade her.

  “As I said, I already decided on the path as a druid and settled into my new life quite nicely. Then she showed up at my door with you in her arms. She wanted to give you the choice she, herself, hadn’t had. Her family had dropped her at the guild’s doorstep when she was only three. Doreen loved you very much, leaving you was the hardest thing she’d ever done. She made me swear to Isis never to tell you about her. I argued, but in the end, she refused to budge, saying no good would come from you knowing about her. So I kept my word and became your mother in all but blood.”

  “I never dreamed…never knew I could be so loved.” Leigh shook her head in wonder. “All this time, I thought there must be something wrong with me, to have been abandoned. Now, I am finding out just how deeply she truly loved me. How I wish I could have known her.”

  “I will tell you all that I know about Doreen if you wish. For now, I think it’s time to go home. The Aegis will care for Beatrice’s body.” Her gaze grew assessing as she looked Taren over. “My, what a handsome mate you have, Leigh. We could use a strong young male such as yourself. If you wish to join our small community, we would be honored to have you. I will leave you to talk it over. Now wh
ere did Ola run off to?”

  Taren gave her a respectful nod. “It is I who would be honored, thank you.”

  I am right here. Ola scampered out from the brush by the boulder. And more than ready to be away from here.

  Taren smiled at Ola. “Thank you for your aid, little one.”

  That is what friends do for each other, right, Leigh?

  “Absolutely, my dear friend. And we won’t forget your selfless act of bravery.”

  I was brave, wasn’t I?

  “Brave and fierce.” Taren agreed.

  “How did you get your hands on weapons and that key?” Leigh asked, curiosity clear in the slight tilt of her head as she gazed at Amaya.

  “Oh child, I do remember my training at the Guild of Isis, and I acquired a great many things in my lifetime. Some gave me things in lieu of currency for my healing talents. I couldn’t outright aid you or your lives would have been forfeit, but I could send Ola to you with my note. There is nothing in the rules about being assisted by animals. Oh, and it also states that once you leave the arena, you may use any means you can devise to protect yourself. So, all conditions were met.”

  Amaya picked up Ola and with a wink disappeared back into the forest.

  Leigh turned her gaze back to her mate. “Well, it seems as if you have been adopted as well.”

  “There are not many of our kind that could say the same, and it will be good to have kith once more. But as long as I have you, I have all I need in this world.”

  “And what of the beholden vow? I would rather you come to me free, of your own accord, than have you locked another moment to that vow.”

  He frowned a moment then set her from him. He pulled his shirt off. Standing there in the waning, pale light bathing him in softness, his beauty took her breath away.

  Turning his back to her, he looked at her over one shoulder. “What do you see, Leigh?”

  By the serious tone of his voice, she knew the request was important, but for the life of her, she couldn’t understand why. She studied his bare back, taking special note of the play of muscles as his shoulders flexed.